Pressure venting assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a pressure venting assembly for an enclosure comprising, in combination, (a) a flange around the periphery of an opening in said enclosure having a raised inward portion; (b) a compressible gasket disposed on the raised portion of the flange and extending around the opening; (c) a plurality of magnets spaced around the opening and adjustably mounted on the flange relative to the height of the raised portion of the flange; and (d) a cover plate for the opening, of magnetically susceptible material, capable of resting on the gasket and engaging the magnets.

United States Patent Giesecke I Jul 18 1972 [54] PRESSURE VENTING ASSEMBLY 3,528,453 9/1970 Dunkelis ..25 1/65 x [72] Inventor: Frederick Adolph Giesecke, Riverside, Ill. Primary Examiner Roben CL Nilson I [73] Assignee; CPC International Inc. Attorney-Frank E. Robbins, John B. Goodman, Janet E. Price, Joseph Shekleton, Martha A. Michaels and Dorothy R. [22] Flled: Sept. 24, 1970 Thumler 21 A i. No.: 75 152 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl ..137/528 220/55 MG 251/65 This. inventim discbses a Pressre venting assembly 51 Int. Cl ..Fl6k 17/02 Fl6 k 31/08 clsure cmbinatim (a) a flange the [58] Field of Search 220/385 55 1 periphery of an opening in said enclosure having a raised in- I 137 /528 529 5 3 ward portion; (b) a compressible gasket disposed on the raised I portion of the flange and extending around the opening; (c) a 1 plurality of magnets spaced around the opening and adjustably [56] References Cited mounted on the flange relative to the height of the raised por- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion of the flange; and (d) a cover plate for the opening, of magnetically susceptible material, capable of resting on the 3,189,675 6/1965 Moore et al ..25 1/65 X gasket and engaging the magma 3,360,005 12/ 1967 Sopher et al. 2,977,973 4/1961 Chakine ..220/38.5 UX 2 Claim, SDraWing Figures I 16 if *w v PATENTEUJULIBIQIZ 3.677.290 I SHEEI 1 OF 2 Freden'cAGiesec/w,

PRESSURE VENTING ASSEMBLY Explosions in processing equipment have continuously plagued industry. These explosions occur relatively frequently where combustibles, particularly combustible powders, are being processed. There are two methods of dealing with such explosions. The first method consists of building the process equipment of sufficient strength to contain the explosive forces. This is possible where the process equipment is small. Very large volume process equipment make it difficult and uneconomical to contain the explosions. Under these conditions, the explosive forces are vented into the atmosphere which comprises the second method of dealing with explosrons.

The venting of explosive forces usually is accomplished by providing some release mechanism in the walls of the process equipment or enclosure in which they occur. Such release mechanisms can take the form of rupture discs, doors or covering plates which, upon the application of a predetermined pressure, release and provide an opening through which the explosion can dissipate. These prior devices often suffer from various shortcommings. The rupture discs, for example, can only be used once and when broken must be rebuilt at considerable time and expense.

Explosion doors and covering plates are typically secured by spring loaded latchers which release, upon application of pressure. These latches are intricate devices and are therefore subject to failure. Furthermore, the mechanical latches have been found to be difficult to calibrate for release at a predetermined pressure. As a result, explosion doors which are secured by the latches frequently open up during operation of the process equipment. Equipment operators frustrated by frequent unwanted openings of the vents have been found to permanently secure the explosion vents thereby creating a great hazard. ln addition, the calibration of the mechanical latches is subject to change as a result of corrosion.

As a result, it is an object of the present invention to provide 2 a pressure venting assembly for an enclosure which can be repeatedly reset without the replacement of any parts.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a pressure venting assembly which can be readily calibrated to open at a predetermined pressure and which is not subject to significant change in calibration.

Another object of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description.

It has now been found that a pressure venting assembly which is free of many of the shortcommings hereinabove described and which meets the objects set forth comprises:

a. a flange around the periphery of an opening in said enclosure having a raised inward portion;

b. a compressible gasket disposed on the raised portion of the flange and extending around the opening;

c. a plurality of magnets spaced around the opening and adjustably mounted on the flange relative to the height of the raised portion of the flange; and

d. a cover plate for the opening, of magnetically susceptible material, capable of resting on the gasket and engaging the magnets.

A suitable embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the pressure venting assembly disposed on the top of a cyclone.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the cover plate of the assembly with a partial cut-away exposing a portion of the cover set and a portion of the magnetic holding means for the cover.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the securing means and seat for the cover plate.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the cover plate in a partially open position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the cover plate in the closed portion.

Numerical references are employed to designate the various parts shown in the drawings, and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 in the drawings, there is shown the top portion of cylindrical enclosure 10 having a large opening 33 in its upper surface which is closed with a covering plate 15. Around the periphery of this opening there is formed a flange, as seen in cross-section in Fig. 4, which comprises a ring plate 11 seated on the enclosure 10. A seal 12 is provided between the upper portion of the enclosure 10 and the ring plate 11. This seal can be a rubber gasket or the functional equivalent thereof. The flange has a raised inward portion formed by the angle ring 13. This angle ring 13 is secured by weldments 32 to the inward edge of the ring plate 11 extending perpendicularly and parallel to the face of the ring plate 11. The ring plate 11 is secured to the enclosure 10 with angularly spaced bolts 24, as shown in Fig. 3. I

On the upper surface of the raised portion of the flange, which is formed by the angle ring 13 and which is parallel to the face of the ring plate 11, there is disposed a compressible gasket 14 which extends around the opening 33 and which forms a seat for the cover plate 15. This gasket 14 is formed from a rod of polyurethane foam 27 that is generally cylindrical in shape, and from a plastic film cover 25 that encircles the foam core 27 and that provides a tail flap 26 whereby the gasket 14 can be secured to the angle ring 13. The gasket 14 can be readily secured to the angle ring 13 with an adhesive capable of forming a bond between said gasket and ring.

Referring to the cut-out portion of Fig. 2 and to Fig. 3, there are shown a plurality of rectangular magnets 16 spaced around the opening 33 of the enclosure 10. The magnets 16 are adjustably mounted on the portion of the flange formed by the angle ring 13. The magnets 16 comprise a housing 17 which contains a block of magnetic material 18. Boththe housing 17 and block of magnetic material 18 are formed with at least two registering holes 21 and 20 respectively. The holes 21 in the housing 17 are of a smaller diameter than the holes 20 in the magnetic material 18. The magnets 16 are adjustably mounted on the ring plate 11 by means of a plurality of set screws 19 disposed in the holes 20 and 21 of the magnets 16' engaging the housing 17 and threaded into registering tapped holes 23 in the ring plate 11. I

While the magnets in the accompanying drawing are depicted as generally rectangular in shape, the pressure venting assembly of this invention is not restricted thereto. Magnets of other shapes are also contemplated herein. Magnets of such other shapes particularly suited for this invention are cylindrical magnets having a stepped axial bore which are adjustably mounted by a single set screw seated in the bore of the magnets and threaded into the tapped holes 23 of the ring plate 11 heretofore described. a

The adjustment of the magnets 16 for purposes hereinafter described can be effected by varying the depth to which set screws 19 are threaded into the threaded holes 23 of the ring plate 11.

The cover plate 15, when in the closed position, is seated on gasket 14 and engages the magnets 16. Cover plate 15 is made of magnetically susceptible material such as iron or steel so that the magnets 16 can exert a downward force thereby compress the gasket 14 and sealing the opening 33 in the enclosure 10. The degree to which the gasket 14 is compressed by the cover plate 15 can be controlled by adjusting the height of the magnets 16 relative to the angle ring 13. The total downward force exerted on the cover plate 15 depends upon the number and size of the magnets 16. The force required to open the pressure vent is equal to the total force exerted by the magnets 16, plus the weight of the cover plate 15, minus the force exerted by the compressed gasket 14. Thus, the pressure at which venting assembly of this invention will open can be easily controlled by selecting the number and strength of the magnets 16 and by adjusting the degree of compression of the gasket 14.

To facilitate the adjustment of the magnets, the cover plate is formed with a plurality of holes 22 which register with the holes 20 in the magnets 16. These holes 22 permit adjustment of the magnets 16, while the cover plate 15 is in position on the venting assembly. The cover plate is equipped with at least two aligning lugs 28 extending from its inward surface. These aligning lugs 28 are in registery with an equal number of receiving members 29 extending from the angle ring 13 and capable of aligning the cover plate 15 in a predetermined portion, such that the holes 22in the cover plate 15 are in registery with the holes in the magnets 16,

The cover plate 15 is also equipped with a plurality of handles 31 to which a wire rope is secured. The wire rope 30 is also secured to the enclosure 10 and is thereby capable of restricting the movement of the cover plate 15 to the immediate proximity of theventing assembly upon release of said cover plate.

While the pressure venting assembly of this invention, which can also be referred to as an emergency vent or an explosion vent, has been described in a particular embodiment as represented by the accompanying drawings a more generic definition of the invention can be set forth. Thus, the present invention further comprises a cover assembly for an emergency vent for an enclosure, comprising, (a) an enclosure structure that is formed with a vent opening and with a peripheral surface portion that is disposed about said opening; (b) a cover for closing said opening and that is formed with a surface thatis complementary to the peripheral surface portion of said structure for compressing a gaskettherebetween; (c) a compressible gasket that is disposed between said surfaces for sealing off the vent opening upon compression thereof between the two surfaces, and (d) magnetic means interposed between said structure and said cover and that is secured to one of them and that is disposed for magnetic engagement of the other, and that is adjustable to permit adjustment of the magnetic force applied 'for securing the cover over the vent opening.

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments-thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention sure, comprising:

and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A cover assembly for an emergency vent for an encloan enclosure structure that is formed with a vent opening and with a raised member that extends about the said opening and that is formed with an outwardly disposed, peripheral surface portion that is disposed about said opening and that is raised above the surrounding surface level of the structure;

a cover for closing said opening and that is formed with a surface that is complementary to the peripheral surface portion of said structure for compressing -a gasket therebetween;

a compressible gasket that is disposed between said surfacesmit adjustment of the magnetic force applied for securing v the cover over the vent opening, and

guide means disposed on said cover and on said structure for aligning the cover on the structure to a particular desired orientation; said cover being provided with a plurality of openings which register with the individual magnets respectively and which permit the adjusting of said magnetic means.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the openings in the cover are in a marginal peripheral portion of the cover. 

1. A cover assembly for an emergency vent for an enclosure, comprising: an enclosure structure that is formed with a vent opening and with a raised member that extends about the said opening and that is formed with an outwardly disposed, peripheral surface portion that is disposed about said opening and that is raised above the surrounding surface level of the structure; a cover for closing said opening and that is formed with a surface that is complementary to the peripheral surface portion of said structure for compressing a gasket therebetween; a compressible gasket that is disposed between said surfaces for sealing off the vent opening upon compression thereof between the two surfaces; magnetic means secured to said structure and interposed between said structure and said cover and disposed for magnetic engagement of the cover, said magnetic means comprising a plurality of separate magnets that are spaced from each other about said opening, and that are individually adjustable in elevation relative to the peripheral surface portion of said raised member, to permit adjustment of the magnetic force applied for securing the cover over the vent opening, and guide means disposed on said cover and on said structure for aligning the cover on the structure to a particular desired orientation; said cover being provided with a plurality of openings which register with the individual magnets respectively and which permit the adjusting of said magnetic means.
 2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the openings in the cover are in a marginal peripheral portion of the cover. 